I agree completely with both of your comments but here is my concern:  I have repeatedly heard proponents of the current trends say that if you are concerned about a course you should speak to the rider representitive.  This in particular is a comment used to support the appropriateness of the courses/times that have resulted in major accidents over the last two years. 

Here is my concern- No one wants to sound like a wimpie whiner.  Seriously I have heard people be very concerned when walking a course- not just show nerves but comments from individuals that have ridden the lower levels for years say things like - this novice course is more like what used to be training- or- this question seems a lot for novice.  But these are Eventers they are tough do it yourself and get it done people- as a whole they do not complain easily.  Thats what I love about eventers, but it could be part of our problem as well?

--- On Mon, 4/28/08, tracyt829 <tracyt829@...> wrote:

From: tracyt829 <tracyt829@...>
Subject: [indianaeventing] Re: safety questions
To: indianaeventing@yahoogroups.com
Date: Monday, April 28, 2008, 1:19 PM

Rita,

I agree with you. Optimum time is the best time to finish the XC. If
a rider feels that that the OT for an event is too fast, then they
should speak to the rider represtative or TD prior to the start fo XC.

I don't have the rule book in front of me to quote which rule, but if a
rider is a minute (i believe) too fast, they are also penalized. Maybe
the penalty for going too fast should be increased in penalties or the
time shortened to 30 seconds to fast gets a penalty?